🏓 Pickleball Rules Every Player Should Know (But Many Don’t)

Whether you’re brand new to pickleball or have been playing for a while, this guide covers everything you need to know about pickleball rules. From serving and scoring to the infamous Non-Volley Zone (AKA – the kitchen) violations and partner communication, this article answers the most frequently asked questions – in plain English.

🏓 Pickleball : How to Play and What You Need to Know

New to pickleball? This guide breaks down the essential rules and terms so you can jump on court with confidence — whether you're playing for fun or competition.

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🎯 The Basics: What’s the Goal?

Score points by winning rallies — but only the serving team can score in traditional scoring. Games are typically played to 11 points (win by 2), but tournament games may go to 15 or 21.

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🔁 Serving Simplified

Who Serves First?

• The player on the right side of the court serves first.

• In doubles, only one player serves during the first service turn of the game.

Key Serve Rules (Volley Serve):

• Must be underhand.

• Paddle contacts ball below the waist and must be moving upward.

• Feet must be behind the baseline.

• Serve must land diagonally in the opponent’s service box.

• Only one serve attempt per turn.

• Let serves (that hit the net but land in) are live.

• Lines are in, except the Non-Volley Zone line on the serve (that’s out).

What About Drop Serves?

• Legal! Drop the ball and hit it after one bounce.

• No restrictions on paddle angle or upward motion.

• Ball can land anywhere behind the baseline on the drop.

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👥 Serving in Doubles

• Each team gets two serves per side-out (one per player), except the first turn.

• Right-side player starts serving, and players switch sides after every point won.

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🔁 The Two-Bounce Rule

• The serve must bounce once before being returned.

• The return must also bounce before the serving team hits it.

• This rule applies to every point.

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🗣️ Calling the Score

Yes, you must call the score before serving — either the server or their partner can do it.

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🪵 The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

• The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net.

• You cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while in or touching the NVZ.

• If your momentum carries you into the NVZ after a volley, it’s a fault.

• You can enter the kitchen to hit a ball — after it bounces.

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🚫 Common Faults to Avoid

• Ball hits the net or lands out.

• Volleying from the NVZ (kitchen).

• Double bounces.

• Serving violations.

• Catching a live ball.

• Ball hitting your body above the wrist.

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🧩 Net & Boundary Rules

• If the ball hits the net post, it's a fault.

• Around-the-post (ATP) shots are legal if they don’t touch the post and land in.

• A ball going under the net is always a fault.

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👯‍♀️ Singles vs. Doubles Rules

Doubles:

• Each player gets one serve per side-out (except the first).

• Call scores with 3 numbers:

  • Your team’s score

  • Opponent’s score

  • Server number (1 or 2)

Singles:

• Serve from the right side if your score is even, left side if odd.

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🗣️ Communication & Etiquette

• Talking to your partner (like “mine” or “switch”) is encouraged.

• Yelling to distract opponents? That’s verbal interference — and can be a fault.

• Line calls must be immediate, honest, and clear.

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🌀 Momentum Rule

• If you volley and your momentum takes you into the kitchen — even after the ball is dead — it’s a fault.

• There’s no time limit for this rule. Momentum counts until it ends.

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✅ Final Takeaway

Mastering the rules makes pickleball more fun — and makes you a smarter, more strategic player. From serves to court etiquette, knowing the basics helps you level up fast.

🎓 Want to improve your skills?
Check out our beginner-friendly video course & pickleball strategy guide!